Run for It: Stories of Slaves Who Fought for Their Freedom by Marcelo D’Salete

This book contains four short stories about slavery in Brazil and the way that slaves resisted it to the best of their ability. Chapters include: Kalunga, Sumidouro, Cumbe, and Malungo.

My thoughts:

This was an interesting read, and I’m still not sure exactly how to process it. It’s a story told mostly in pictures with minimal text, and you really have to read between the lines and study the pictures to know what is happening. It’s not really a book about right and wrong. Readers are shown some very difficult situations and experiences, and how people reacted under those circumstances. Sometimes violence begets violence. The stories don’t have warm, cushy endings. However, they do show the resilience of those who languished under slavery and their determination to be free from oppression. It shines a glaring light on the moral corruption which accompanies slavery.

Certainly, you have to read the two short introductory blurbs at the beginning of the book to get the context for the stories. Even then, there is a lot of background information which isn’t included. I wish there had been a bit more about Brazil’s history with slavery, but maybe this book could be seen as a jumping off point for readers to seek out additional sources.

The drawings are in black and white, so even in the scenes with violence you don’t see graphic blood or anything. Also, the drawings are somewhat stylized, so things that might be too much if done with a lot of detail are less offensive to look at.

I recommend Run For It to older teens and adults who want to learn more about slavery and resistance. It wasn’t just an issue in the United States, but that’s where a lot of the currently available literature takes place. Also a note on the possible objection of seeing a woman’s bare chest–this book adopts the traditional African view of a woman’s chest being utilitarian more than erotic. It’s for feeding children and there’s nothing shameful or sexually charged in that.